Yshel Lok, left, waits on sisters Tran and Tram Nguyen of El Cerrito, at Kopitiam, a Singaporean cafe in Lafayette, Calif., on Wednesday, April 22, 2009.

Yshel Lok, left, waits on sisters Tran and Tram Nguyen of El Cerrito, at Kopitiam, a Singaporean cafe in Lafayette, Calif., on Wednesday, April 22, 2009.

Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez, The Chronicle

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The Kopitiam Mee Goreng, served at Kopitiam, a Singaporean cafe in Lafayette, Calif.

The Kopitiam Mee Goreng, served at Kopitiam, a Singaporean cafe in Lafayette, Calif.

Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez, The Chronicle

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Roy Partain of Oakland, and Wilma Banatao, of Neward, enjoy lunch at Kopitiam, a Singaporean cafe in Lafayette, Calif., on Wednesday, April 22, 2009.

Roy Partain of Oakland, and Wilma Banatao, of Neward, enjoy lunch at Kopitiam, a Singaporean cafe in Lafayette, Calif., on Wednesday, April 22, 2009.

Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez, The Chronicle

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The Kopitiam Organic Chicken Rice served at Kopitiam, a Singaporean cafe in Lafayette, Calif.

The Kopitiam Organic Chicken Rice served at Kopitiam, a Singaporean cafe in Lafayette, Calif.

Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez, The Chronicle

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The Tofu Poppers served at Kopitiam, a Singaporean cafe in Lafayette, Calif.

The Tofu Poppers served at Kopitiam, a Singaporean cafe in Lafayette, Calif.

Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez, The Chronicle

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Kopitiam, Singaporean cafe

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Reverse sticker shock is rare, but you might experience it at this not quite 2-year-old, 45-seat Malaysian restaurant. Kopitiam is named in honor of Singaporean coffee shops and features chartreuse paint, marble-topped tables, proper teacups and attentive service. Yet only a few seafood items on the extensive menu exceed $10.

Stop into Kopitiam after an early hike at nearby Lafayette Reservoir for breakfast or brunch. For Western traditionalists, there is the Singlish ($8.25), which includes scrambled eggs with sausage or bacon, toast and fruit. Or indulge in New Guilty Pleasure ($3.50) - toast with butter and condensed milk. My favorite is Singaporean roti prata ($4.75-$5.25), a crispy crepe with toppings such as curry gravy or kaya, a coconut jam. It comes with two eggs either scrambled or perfectly soft-boiled. Eat the latter the way the locals do, with black pepper and a dash of soy sauce.